The Su 101 starts its grind with a T7 gun for example... I'm not a novice so I'll cope with the situation but IMO any newer or less experience player this can't be a rewarding experience for them at all.

I still recall being a stock Tiger II and facing T10 meds. It's not what I would call fun.

WG should consider shielding the stock tanks for 20 games + to make the grind/game at least vaguely enjoyable. What does everyone think?

The Su 101 starts its grind with a T7 gun for example... I'm not a novice so I'll cope with the situation but IMO any newer or less experience player this can't be a rewarding experience for them at all.

I still recall being a stock Tiger II and facing T10 meds. It's not what I would call fun.

WG should consider shielding the stock tanks for 20 games + to make the grind/game at least vaguely enjoyable. What does everyone think?

They tried something similar many years ago (pref MM for the first ten games) but it was quickly withdrawn. Personally I don't like the idea of having a top tier tank in my team that is stock.

They tried something similar many years ago (pref MM for the first ten games) but it was quickly withdrawn. Personally I don't like the idea of having a top tier tank in my team that is stock.

shortfuse1418, on 02 March 2018 - 12:21 PM, said:

This might work if we did not have 3-5-7 match making. Top tier stock tanks in 3-5-7 game play puts your team at a significant disadvantage.

Since we have the tank type added to the tier mm, how hard would it be to include a special mm: stock tank vs stock tank = equal playing field since both teams would have same tier & type stock tank on their team.

Could be exploited as much as it might be a benefit for some. As not all tanks are equally terrible stock. Most have better stock guns or DPM then most elite tanks they face. Then again if you play it badly or average. 20 games is not enough to get more modules up on a tier 8 as is if you play for free to make the stock grind better. Sooner or later your low end gun have to face a tier X.

Could be exploited as much as it might be a benefit for some. As not all tanks are equally terrible stock. Most have better stock guns or DPM then most elite tanks they face. Then again if you play it badly or average. 20 games is not enough to get more modules up on a tier 8 as is if you play for free to make the stock grind better. Sooner or later your low end gun have to face a tier X.

Exploited in what way?

On the number of games perhaps it should be sliding scale increase in the number of games shielded per tier. Its current form of just throwing you in at the deep end is not a good experience though, tier 6 and tier 8 in particular due to the enemies you can face and the pile of crap stock you can be driving.

The Su 101 starts its grind with a T7 gun for example... I'm not a novice so I'll cope with the situation but IMO any newer or less experience player this can't be a rewarding experience for them at all.

I still recall being a stock Tiger II and facing T10 meds. It's not what I would call fun.

WG should consider shielding the stock tanks for 20 games + to make the grind/game at least vaguely enjoyable. What does everyone think?

Not sure this is the best solution, there are several tanks that in stock configuration would destroy the enemy team as a top tier. For example imagine a stock E-50 fighting tier 7s, having >3k base DPM with the 8.8 gun .

Not sure this is the best solution, there are several tanks that in stock configuration would destroy the enemy team as a top tier. For example imagine a stock E-50 fighting tier 7s, having >3k base DPM with the 8.8 gun .

Then the enemy team should have a stcok E-50 on their team as well. "balanced" MM

doriansky1, on 02 March 2018 - 02:09 PM, said:

I prefer to plan my grinds in such way that i always have free XP to research the modules (at tier 8 and 9 at least).

That is what I do, even though in some severe cases I consider freexping the top gun (& turret if needed) on some T7 tanks...

On the number of games perhaps it should be sliding scale increase in the number of games shielded per tier. Its current form of just throwing you in at the deep end is not a good experience though, tier 6 and tier 8 in particular due to the enemies you can face and the pile of crap stock you can be driving.

Top tier all the time can and will be exploited in some way for most. As I said, some tanks stock don't even have a gun or turret upgrade. Or insane DPM and great gold pen. So great for padding stats with. Just buy a new tank you skipped before and be top tier for 20 games. Sell it and move to the next one. Some stock tanks are rather strong even in a 3-5-7 MM.

And if you would not play more aggressive even elite. Why does it make a difference? If you are that scared of +2. It don't matter if you have 170 pen or 254 pen.

A toptier that is crippled by having a horrible tank is a massive burden for the team - a lowtier one not much of a change. Sure, you deal even less damage as stock-lowtier, but at least you aren't the reason for loosing as often.

Anyone else felling "this cannot be true, why MM? why punish me with those" when the battle starts and you see that 2 of your 3 toptiers have stock turrent (and thus no top gun)?

Since we have the tank type added to the tier mm, how hard would it be to include a special mm: stock tank vs stock tank = equal playing field since both teams would have same tier & type stock tank on their team.

It still wouldn't be great. Stock Tiger II or T32 vs. stock VK 100.01 P or O-Ho would still be a roflstomp for the latter two. That's just one example mind you, I'm sure some other terrible combinations exist.

I did mention in my post, I'm experienced enough to deal with the situation. Should I really need to though, being dropped into battles without the tools to be effective. I was post about general grind/enjoyment level really, making a tank effective sub par for 50 games while you get the modules isn't what I call fun to be honest.

The Su 101 starts its grind with a T7 gun for example... I'm not a novice so I'll cope with the situation but IMO any newer or less experience player this can't be a rewarding experience for them at all.

I still recall being a stock Tiger II and facing T10 meds. It's not what I would call fun.

WG should consider shielding the stock tanks for 20 games + to make the grind/game at least vaguely enjoyable. What does everyone think?

T8 stock grind is not a problem imho, neither is t6 stock grind.

In both of those cases the probability of shooting above your tier is high, and you thus get more XP.

The problem is t7 and t9 stock grind, especially the latter.

You are top tier far more often, and especially on t9 you have to come up most of the times with 100+ k xp, while being a drag for your team.